Norse mythology refers to the mythology and religion of the Norse (also called Vikings) and Germanic peoples, which existed before their conversion to Christianity. The myths are vibrant, intriguing and unique, showcasing the beliefs and ideals of the people who believed in them.
Norse mythology is full of interesting and complex figures, such as Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya and Frigg. It can be harsh and sordid, often even fatalistic, representing the worldview of the Norse people and the harsh environment they lived in.
As Neil Gaiman so aptly puts it, “The Norse myths are the myths of a chilly place, with long, long winter nights and endless summer days, myths of a people who did not entirely trust or even like their gods, although they respected and feared them.”
Our series on Norse mythology covers all the main characters, creatures and events, highlighting the importance of the stories and their symbolism and relevance today.
Ask and Embla are the first humans created by the gods, according to Norse mythology. As the legend goes, all people today are their descendants and humankind has ruled Midgard (Earth) from the ...
Krampus is a strange mythological being with rather unique looks and symbolism. Half-goat and half-demon, this terrifying being has mysterious origins that may come from several different ancient ...
Sleipnir is the most legendary horse in Norse mythology and arguably one of the most famous horses throughout all of the world’s religions. With eight powerful legs, a fascinating and funny ...
Jotunheim, or Jötunheimr, is one of the Nine Realms in Norse mythology and an antithesis to the divine realm of Asgard. Unlike the orderly and gorgeous realm of the Aesir gods, Jotunheim is a ...
Ragnar Lodbrok is simultaneously one of the most famous Viking heroes and a person so shrouded in mystery that historians are still not sure who he was.A hero of Scandinavia, a scourge to both ...
The Norse languages are full of hundreds of fascinating symbols, many of which we still don’t fully understand today. One such curious example is the Icelandic stave (i.e. a magic sigil, rune, ...
Also known as Elhaz, the Algiz rune is one of the characters of the runic alphabet used by the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland, and Britain around the 3rd century to the ...
Draugr is a menacing sounding name for a menacing creature. Also called draug or draugar (plural), a draugr is an undead monstrosity in Norse mythology, not dissimilar to our modern-day concept of ...
Norse mythology has given many unique creatures, myths, and symbols to the world, and chief among them are the various types of Norse trolls. Typically depicted as large, grotesque, physically ...
“Bringer of Doom” can feel like an exaggeration for a squirrel and Ratatoskr is indeed a minor character in Norse mythology. However, the red squirrel’s role is surprisingly significant as he’s ...
Norse mythology is an endlessly fascinating topic which has had a profound impact on modern culture, and there have been many books written about the subject throughout history. With all the books ...
The huldra or hulder may sound rugged and masculine but they are actually exceptionally fair female mystical beings in Norse mythology. In fact, through their varying myths and legends across all ...
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